Miracles or Life with God

Numbers 26:1-4 [English Standard Version]
[T]he Lord said to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron, the priest, “Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' houses, all in Israel who are able to go to war.” And Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, “Take a census of the people, from twenty years old and upward,” as the Lord commanded Moses.

This is the second time in the book of Numbers that God says they should count the people. This generation of people has spent twenty years living as a huge group of nomads. They have basically been walking around waiting for their parents to die. The parents didn't believe that God could do what he'd promised to do for them, so they were not allowed to take the Promised Land.

What's interesting to me about all of that is this: the parents generation were thinking adults when they saw the miracles that God did to lead them out of Egypt, while the second generation were just small children. Both parents and children then walked through the wilderness for years. Which of these two things seems to be more significant in faith development? It seems like the daily walk with God is the more significant thing.

I have sometimes found myself jealous of those who saw Jesus perform miracles. It seemed to me that if I could see that, I'd have deeper faith. But I'm not sure that's true. I hope so, because those who had faith seemed to have their faith deepened and confirmed by the amazing things that Jesus did. John says the reason he writes about them is so that we can believe (although, I think it may be what we will come to believe - that Jesus is divine - as much as belief and trust in Jesus in general).

There were many who saw Jesus perform miracles and interpreted those signs as a reason to murder him! Yikes!

I think it is the daily walk with God that builds faith. The second generation that followed God with Moses in the wilderness, lived their lives in constant awareness of God. The tabernacle in the middle of the camp, the glory of God that filled it, the care and food and water He provided all made them aware of His presence.

Like those long ago men and women, I too live with God's constant presence around me. I can choose to see it or fail to be aware of it, but He is most certainly there - providing, keeping, leading.

I may not get to see God perform a natural order defying miracle in my life. But I can live with him, walk with him, and let him shape me throughout my life. I hope that my heart stays open to Him doing that. I'm pretty impressed with the faith that second generation had. I'd love to have it myself.